Detailed protocols are presented of two improved chemical procedures, based upon a photochemical decomposition of uranyl oxalate or potassium ferrioxalate,
enabling a reliable measurement of the far-ultraviolet light emitted by a low-pressure mercuryvapour lamp. Besides, an original semi-quantitative method of UV dosimetry is
presented and discussed, employing optical detection of a chromophore formed in the photooxidized glutathione. In addition to exemplary computations of UV light dose rate, a
simple formula is proposed for recalculating its value while varying the distance from the lamp.
Key words: ultraviolet light, chemical dosimetry, bactericidal lamps
